Conference: The Written Heritage of Mankind in Peril

Seminar, British
Library London, 26 June 2015

The theft of and illicit trafficking in rare books, maps and
manuscripts looted from sovereign and other libraries and similar
repositories around the world is a global problem that threatens the
preservation of the recorded history of mankind. Remarkably, however,
there have been few conferences devoted to the examination of the many
issues that pertain to this problem.

Consequently, the Art Law Commission of the UIA has teamed up with
the British Library and the Institute of Art and Law in London to invite
those who deal with rare books and other priceless written materials,
including representatives of dealers, collectors, auction houses,
national collections, law enforcement officials, security experts,
attorneys and others, to present a full-day comprehensive seminar
devoted to a thorough review of the many aspects of this global
epidemic.

Upon the conclusion of the seminar, the various participants and
attendees will be encouraged to continue the discussion throughout the
following year to address the problems raised and begin to develop a
comprehensive set of principles that we hope will lead to the
development of solutions to prevent widespread theft and trafficking and
restore stolen items to their rightful owners for the benefit of
everyone. The plan would be to then hold a follow up seminar in New York
in 2016 to assess progress in this area and plan future actions.

Organised by the UIA, the British Library and the Institute of Art and Law

Programme

08.30-09.00 Registration, coffee09.00-09.30 Welcome AddressKristen Jensen, Head of Collections and Curation, British LibraryIntroductory
Key-Note: Manuscripts as Chattels and Chattels as Manuscripts: How
archives, books and manuscripts relate to cultural material at large
Professor Norman Palmer QC (Hon) CBE FSA, Barrister, Expert Adviser
to the Spoliation Advisory Panel, Chair of the Treasure Valuation
Committee 2001-201109.30-10.00 Panel I – The Extent of the Problem: Notorious Examples of Rare Book Theft

– Ivan Boserup, Former Head of Manuscripts and Rare Books, The Royal Library, Copenhagen
– Margaret Lane Ford, International Head of Books and Manuscripts, Christie’s, New York
– Professor Keun-Gwan Lee, Professor of Law, Seoul National University

– Richard Aronowitz-Mercer, Head of Restitution Europe at Sotheby's, London
– Norbert Donhofer, President of International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB)
– Stephen Loewentheil, Founder and President of 19th Century Rare Book and Photograph Shop, Baltimore

Moderator: Kristian Jensen, Head of Collections and Curation, British Library15.30-16.00 Coffee break16.00-17.00 Concluding Discussion: Lessons Learned and Recommendations for the Future

– Norbert Donhofer, President of ILAB
– Kristian Jensen, Head of Collections and Curation, British Library
– Sharon Cohen Levin, partner at WilmerHale and former Chief, Money
Laundering & Asset Forfeiture Unit, U.S. Attorney's Office for the
Southern District of New York
– Hetty Gleave, Partner, Hunters Solicitors, London

The
Written Heritage of Mankind in Peril: Theft, Retrieval, Sale and
Restitution of rare books, maps and manuscripts - See more at:
http://www.bl.uk/events/the-written-heritage-of-mankind-in-peril#sthash.sltg4eQg.EEPn6E0l.dpuf

The
Written Heritage of Mankind in Peril: Theft, Retrieval, Sale and
Restitution of rare books, maps and manuscripts - See more at:
http://www.bl.uk/events/the-written-heritage-of-mankind-in-peril#sthash.sltg4eQg.EEPn6E0l.dpuf

4 comments
:

So, who doesn't see the obvious irony and possibility for protest regarding the British Museum developing a conference on principles for the handling of stolen cultural artifacts and the restitution of said to their rightful owners?

Digitize them and then there won't be as much need to steal them to get your hand on them, right? How can they call it "preservation of the written heritage of mankind" to keep the books locked up where only the elite can ever see them anyway?